We have enjoyed a little reprieve from very fluid and sometimes stressful life situations. Over the past few months we have found a routine. Mike goes to work to for the bacon while Jeanine is almost full-time at her dad’s housing unit to help him with medication, bathing and care. Little Riko is at her side at all times and has become very popular at the housing facility and at dad’s doctor’s office. Although the ceilings squeak under the feet of our neighbor above, we are comfortable in our little apartment. The commute for both Mike and Jeanine are good, as good as commuting can be in New England. Jeanine is using dad’s car for transportation while Mike is diving an old Jetta that clicks while idling, has a non-functional driver side window, a door handle that falls off when pulled and a front bumper held in place by zip-ties. But it starts up everyday and gets him to work.
Dad’s health has improved quite a bit. He is as strong as an ox and after finding the right medication combination, is sleeping better. He has been a lot of fun to be around and he laughs a lot more. Dad is Riko’s biggest fan and loves to give him “special treats” when Riko comes to visit.
Life has been good.
But now we are in another situation that offers some unrest. Dad might be facing a circumstance where he could be evicted from assisted living facility. Last year we applied for federal financial aid through Veteran Affairs, which we were hoping would kick-in by now. It would help pay for rent. Although his apartment is cheaper than any nursing home and any other assisted living facility in Central Massachusetts, the costs are quickly diminishing his savings. If he does not get approved for aid soon, we will have to find a new place for him to live.
Unfortunately, Medicare will not help, at least until he is flat broke. At that point the government has a say in where he will live because they pay the bill. The VA offers two amounts of aid. With the higher amount, he will be able to stay where he is after we chip in a little each month. With the lower amount, he will actually be in a worse situation. Long story short, with the smaller amount from the VA he will make too much for Medicare help but will still be way short of rent at any assisted living facility.
Dad cannot move back in with us because the apartment is not accessible from his wheelchair. He has to be in an assisted living and cannot be on his own elsewhere. So we wait for a response from the VA, hoping they will offer the higher amount.
Until then, we ask for your prayers. Please pray that the proper funding comes in for him and that he may not be discouraged by the situation.
We thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we continue to hang on to this wild ride!
Love,
Mike & Jeanine (and Riko)
P.S. Riko is working on a video for YouTube. We will let you know when he posts it. The lack of opposable thumbs is slowing him down.
